BURKE COUNTY, N.C. — A 41-year-old man has been charged in connection with the exploitation of a minor, according to the Burke County Sheriff’s Office.
On Aug. 22, deputies received a cyber-tip from the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force Program.
An investigation led to the arrest of Aaron Doyle Mirtsching.
He has been charged with three counts of third-degree exploitation of a minor, according to deputies.
According to arrest warrants, the images found on Mirtsching’s computer in October 2022 were of children between the ages of 8 and 12 years old.
He was issued a $20,000 secured bond and his first court appearance has been set for Aug. 24.
Channel 9′s Dave Faherty discovered Mirtsching worked at New Dimensions Charter School as a kindergarten teacher last year.
This summer, he began working at Thrive Church in Morganton as their youth pastor.
Pastor Paul Kidd said the church had no knowledge of the investigation until Mirtsching’s arrest on Tuesday.
Kidd said the allegations do not involve any of the children at the church, and Mirtsching no longer works there.
“Absolutely devastated, blindsided. As a pastor first, who wants safety for his congregation and for everyone, I would want to tell our church that this particular issue has no connection to the church,” Kidd explained.
New Dimensions Charter School released a statement, saying in part that they are cooperating with authorities, and at this time, do not know of “any circumstances relating to New Dimensions.”
“He was a great teacher,” said an employee, who did not want to be identified. “Very involved in pretty much everything in the school. I’m in shock.”
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